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Wedding portrait, Doganieri Family, Montreal, QC, 1920s

Wedding portrait, Doganieri Family, Montreal, QC, 1920s.

Marriage is one of the seven sacraments of the Roman Catholic Church. As a result, it has always been an important occassion for a Catholic Italian-Canadian family. In recent years, it has also proved an occassion for extended celebrations, with family, friends, and colleagues all invited. A event ladden with symbolism and status, the wedding has also turned into somewhat of a small business venture. Guests often bring a "busta" -- literally the envelope. Originally these envelopes with cards and cash were meant to provide a small start-up fund to help young newlyweds begin their life together.

In this portrait, we see an early Italian Canadian wedding. The happy couple are Nicola Doganieri and Francesca Granato. They would have seven children.

In 1940, Dognarieri was arrested and interned as a threat to the Canadian state. He was released after almost 32 months.